Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,226, Elihu Gifford, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. I.
Gifford, Elihu
S. 21.226
CONTENTS

1112 Mina Stand
Eliza Gifford
Resident in the State of N. Hants she was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Shurk of the Regt commanded Col Brad in the Revolutionary War for 17 mos & 12 days
Prescribed on the Roll of N. Hants at the rate of - 58 - Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of Aug 1835 and to John Cross  Portsmouth R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $116.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending at 1835 24.00 $140.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. H. Brown Clerk. Book C Vol. 3a Page 111

17006 Eliza Gifford Rhode Island
Paid 17 3/4 12 3/4
506 July 6 1833
PAID
56.67
1.33
58.00
Inverness Portsmouth R.R.
Asa Gray Great Newton R.R.

County of Newport  BRIEF in the case of  Elmer Gifford  in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1882.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Draft In 1776 private Genl Sullivan   from 1776 to 79 being other about 3 17 15 Capt Doolab   months same Col Boorden   Capt Stream   Col Cook  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Newport R Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. W. Claghorn Examining Clerks

Ebene Gifford
17006

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify that Charles Purdie, whose signature is affixed to the enclosed Depositions of Godfrey King, and Joshua Pettit, is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State aforesaid, duly commissioned under the Seal of said State and engaged thereon according to Law. And I do further certify that the signatures of his name to said two Depositions are his genuine Signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at said Tiverton, this twenty second day of September, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two And of American Independence the fifty seventh.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate

Godfrey King of Westerlon of the age of Eighty three two years being first duly sworn to testify the truth, saith that he is now well acquainted with Elizer Gifford now of Westerlon in the State of Rhode Island, that in the Revolution he saw him on Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition, he acted as a draughted soldier in the Militia, in the company commanded by Ebenezer Slocum, that he also served at Westerlon on the Eastern shores of the Narre gansett bay in the company commanded by Benjamin Howland that for "what length of time he served in the other place last mentioned he does not recollect, but in Sullivan's Expedition he served one month" Godfrey King
State of Rhode Island
Newport ss. At Westerlon on this 22 d day of September 1832 personally appeared the above named Godfrey King who being first duly sworn gave the above deposition by him subscribed. And I here certify that he is esteemed to be a person of good credit.
Charles Dinsmore Justice of the Peace

I Giles Manchester of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island Vb. of lawful age, on solemn Oath depose and say: That I have from very youth, been acquainted with. Elizer Gifford of Tiverton aforesaid, who is now an applicant for a pension. I am now Seventy Three years of age = In the time of the Revolutionary war, and immediately after the enemy took possession of Rhode Island. I belonged to the same company of Militia in said Tiverton, that said Gifford did - and in the drafts made from drafted to guard the shores. He and myself were frequently, at the same time and served at the same stations - we were in the service while I was in the militia for one month at a time, and for one half of the time, as near as I can state. This drafting service lasted till the enemy left Rhode Island - and I was in said company of Militia with said Gifford till the enemy left the Island a couple of a year when I was an enlisted soldier in Col. Elliott's Regt. - I saw said Gifford on Rhode Island in the time of Sullivan's Expedition. I was then in the state line of Col. Elliott's Regiment - No further saith not.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 8 th day of Sept. 1832
Asa Gray Clerk
Giles Manchester mark

Joshua Patty of Westport in the State of Massachusetts of the age of Seventy four years being Duly sworn to testify the truth, saith that, he now and was well acquainted with Elisha Gifford now of Giverton in the State of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War, that he served in the Militia at said Giverton on the Eastern shores of the Narragansett bay as a soldier in the Companies commanded by Benjamin Rowland, Daniel Dews and Benjamin Borden. He also saw him in the like service in Sullivan's Expedition upon Rhode Island that for what length of time he served in either of the Companies, or at either place he cannot recollect that in all his services he believes him to have acted as a draughted soldier and his service on the Island was in the company commanded by Ebenezer Slocum.
Joshua Patty
State of Rhode Island Newport ss
Be it Remembered
That on this 22 nd day of September 1832 at Giverton personally appeared before me Joshua Patty the above subscriber who being first duly sworn gave the above Deposition and I here certify that he is esteemed to be a person of good credit — Charles Durfee, Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island ss. County of Newport ss.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace within and for the County of Newport, Elisha Gifford, an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn, deposeth, and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the periods of the war mentioned therein, in the following grades: Namely — In Capt. Goffs Company of Militia, it being the 2 d or middle company of Tiverton, from December 1776 to September 1777 not less than five months — In the same company of Militia, under the command of Capt. Benjamin Borden in the months of September and October 1777 one month and twelve days — In the same company Capt. Borden from November 1777 to August 1778 not less than five months — In August 1778 in Sullivan's Expedition on R. Island under Capt. Hoxie, one month — In the same company under Capt. Borden in November 1778 one month — and in July and March 1779 one month at a time — and that he served at Fogland Ferry under Lieut. B. Howland, (who was afterwards Capt. of 1 st & 2 d company of Militia) in the months of May and August 1779, two months — all the above as a private soldier making in all seventeen months and twelve days for which he claims a pension. And he further deposes that he was not, during all the aforementioned time employed in any civil pursuit, but was in actual military service, and that said Co. of Militia was ordered out by the State of Rhode Island — Subscribed and duly sworn Elisha Gifford At Tiverton in said County of Newport on this 20 th day of July 1833 —
Before me Charles Durfee Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Scituate in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that Charles Durfee whose signature is affixed to the within Deposition is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Scituate County of Newport in the State aforesaid, duly commissioned under the Seal of said State, engaged thereon according to law and fully qualified to act in his said capacity. And I further certify the within signature of his name to be his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at said Scituate, this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. And of American Independence the fifty eighth.
Asa Gray, Clerk.

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, } ss. COUNTY OF Newport }
On this eleventh day of Septem r 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Probate of the Town of Swanton now sitting, Eliza Gifford a resident of Swanton in the County of Newport - and State of Rhode-Island, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He in the month of December 1776 belonged to the 2 d or Middle Company of Militia in Tiverton , then under the Command of Captain Jonathan Dool - The British at that time took possession of Rhode Island and of all the waters of Narragansett Bay with their shipping, galleys, and Barges - and the Militia service, which before had been one of watchfulness and fatigue, since the time that Wallace had first entered the bay, had now become a systematical defence - and called a full half of the militia into the public service for the whole time in guarding the shores, and protecting the towns and villages exposed to the depredations of the enemy -
He in said month of December 1776 was drafted for one month to guard the shores of Tiverton and was stationed at or near Howlands ferry for and during said time - at this time he was under Capt Dool - and from this time until the enemy left Rhode Island in the month of November 1779 he was drafted from said Company as often as every other month, as near as he can recollect, and for a month at a time - And though he cannot recollect the days on which he entered on these services, as he made no minute of them at the time, yet he feels safe in stating, that according to the best of his knowledge and belief, he served in the Militia, in the public service, for one half of said time that the enemy held Newport and the Island of Rhode Island and received pay for all that time -
That during said time and in the months of September and October 1777 he was in the Army, collected at Tiverton for the purpose of making a descent upon Rhode Island , under the command of General Spencer a Continental officer - Capt Benjamin Borden

then had the command of said Company and George Crocker was Lieutenant. He was at times in the service about six Weeks - having been detained for longer than his usual time for which he was drafted - He was also during said term of service in one of his drafts on the Island of Rhode Island During the whole expedition of General Sullivan in the month of August 1778 - In this service he was under Capt Ebenezer Glocum attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Cook - The rest of the time that he was in the public service he was engaged in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay from Fogland ferry south to Fall river on the north - and particular- ly at Fogland ferry where there was a station, and head quarters for the soldiers on duty - While he did duty in these drafts in the public service as aforesaid, Benjamin Howland was also Capt of the Company at a time, and one - Saule was at the same time Ensign under him - this Capt Howland who was afterwards an Senator in Congress from this state, succeeded to the command of said Company of Militia, next after Captain Borden - He served under Capt. Howland for more than one period of a month each at said Fogland ferry - and also under Ensign Saule who had the command of the detachment from our Company at said Fog- land ferry - as well as other places where we were stationed along the shores of the Bay within the limits aforesaid.
In our drafts we were most of the time under our own Company officers on duty - though we were sometimes under others who commanded at the place for the time - the company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Cook - though General Cornwall or some other officer who commanded the state troops at Howland's ferry appeared to have the supreme command.
And said Gifford avers and solemnly declares that he served faithfully in the War of the Revolution, in the militia in the public service in the manner aforesaid for the full term of sixteen and an half months, according to the best of his knowledge and belief -
And he further declares that he was born at Tiverton on the 29th day of December 1758 - that he lived in said town when called into the service as aforesaid, where he both ever since resided, and where he still doth live - that he hath no record of his age - that he never received any written

discharge from said Service - Nor hath he any documentary evidence of any of said Service - that there is no clergyman living in his vicinity or neighborhood - but he refers to Hon Job Durfee & Peter Estes Esquires who are his Neighbors, and citizens of said Town of Swanton, who testify to his Character for veracity and to their belief that he was a Soldier of the Revolution - And also to the accompanying depositions.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Asa Gray Clerk
Elizer Gifford
We, Job Durfee Esqr. residing in the Town of Swanton aforesaid and Peter Estes Esqr. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elizer Gifford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Asa Gray Clerk
Job Durfee Peter Estes
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Job Durfee Esqr. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said Town of Swanton and that Peter Estes Esqr. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Swanton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And said Court further certifies that the Deposition of Giles Manchester hereto annexed was sworn to & subscribed this day before this Court, and that said Giles Manchester is a credible and that his statement is entitled to credit.
I
Asa Gray Elizer Gifford
Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Swanton in the County of Franklin aforesaid, a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of September in the
Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
And of American Independence the fifty seventh.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY.
L. W. B. I. 21226.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
July 14th, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Elihu Gifford made an application for pension on September 8th, 1832, at which time he was 74 years of age and residing at Tiverton, R. I., and his pension was allowed for seventeen months and twelve days' actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Dugal and Col. Borden. He enlisted at Tiverton, R. I.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. K. H. Noyes,
Providence, Rhode Island.

Revocation
21 226 INVALID.
File No. 21,226
Elisha Gifford
Bro. New York
Act: June 7" 82"
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 150
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Apr 25 98 Mrs M. G. Boies Greenwich N.Y.
July 16 98 K. H. Noyes Bro. R.P.

17006
Eliza Gifford
Mr. Cross Esq. Lintonmouth Dev.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Edwin Gofford which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Ys II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Ys III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Ys V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Ys VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Ys VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Ys VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Ys IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Ys X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Ys

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 2 Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Blindness
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
† QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

To the Department of the Interior Pension Office
Can you give me any information in regard to Eliphaz Gifford of New Bedford Mass. who was in the Revolutionary War . The information is wanted for admission to the Daughters of the Revolution
Sincerely yours
H. T. Woyes
Providence June 28. 1898.

Greenwich, New York.
April 9, 1898. JY
The Hon. H. Clay Evans,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir:-
Have you any
record of the services of Elizer Gifford? He was born July 4, 1762, probably in Dutchess Co., New York. His family came from Falmouth or Rochester, Mass. He married, in 1784, Deborah Allen of Herk., Dutchess Co., N.Y. and his first two children were born there. About 1789, he moved to Cam-

bridge, Washington Co., N.Y., thence to Easton, the next town, where he died in 1846.
In the History of Washington County, published in 1878, by Grants and Ensign, Philadelphia, page 254, is the following paragraph, recording a family tradition, of which the date may be about 1778.
"Among the early settlers in the southeast corner of the town of Cam- bridge was Elizer Gifford. He was one of the crew of a privateer during the War of the Revolution, and the fol- lowing incident is related of him: The vessel to which he belonged

captured a British merchant vessel, which proved to be a rich prize, as she had on board a large amount of silver. The money was transferred to the privateer and the merchant vessel sent into port. In gallant conduct he was promoted, and made master of the privateer immediately after the capture. The privateer caught a Tartar in the next ship she undertook to capture. She proved to be a British twenty-four gun ship of war in disguise, and the saucy privateer was captured. Mr. Gifford and others were confined in the hold of the British ship, which

was to sail the next day for England. They were then off the coast of the island of Cuba. Mr. Gifford, who was a large, powerful man and an excellent swimmer, proposed to a comrade to escape that night by swimming to the land. The comrade said he "could not swim so far." "Then I will help you," Mr. Gifford said. As soon as it was dark they let themselves down into the water quietly, and struck out for the shore, some three miles distant, which they reached in safety. Mr. Gifford made his way to the States" (Said to have landed in rags at Newport and there

enlisted). "and after awhile settled in this town."
Please address your reply to Mrs. Margaret Gifford Boice, Greenwich,
Washington County, New York.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 21226.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
April 25, 1898.
Madam:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Elihu Gifford made an application for pension on September 8, 1832, at which time he was 74 years of age and residing at Tiverton, R. I., and his pension was allowed for seventeen months and twelve days' actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Duval and Col. Borden. He enlisted at Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. Margaret Gifford Boies,
Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y.